Lots of companies already produce synthetic castoreum but it is more expensive than the real thing. Discussion in earlier posts in this thread indicated that the castor market is not far from the price point where synthetic would become a viable alternative to natural castoreum.

I would be surprised if some of the bigger lure manufacturers are not already experimenting with synthetic castoreum.

Kind of like synthetic oil being more expensive than the real thing.

But synthetic oil has better lubricating qualities than the real thing. Not sure the synthetic castor smells more like a beaver than the real thing.

If synthetic is like everything else that is trying to recreate animal scents, any luremaker using synthetic castor probably will have to have a new lure line.

So there is already an alternative supply, so now are niche is not that we have a valuable product no one else has it is that we are the low cost provider, but we are natural!! Oh boy that should be worth more, but it is not.

Bryce

The main market for castoreum is not trapping lure,lol.

Boco beat me to it. Our N. American use of castor (for lures) is minuscule compared to the main market which is overseas.

We are familiar with the use in lures but the amount of castor used in the perfume industry and as a food additive would probably surprise all of us. Same with skunk essence in the perfume industry.

BTW, Don mentioned getting $90/lb for castor back when it boomed (late 80's early 90's?). I remember that I sent off 25 to 35 lbs to Dominion Soudack somewhere in that time frame and got an advance of $100/lb. (US dollars). If I remember right it was moving at around $130/lb. But then it crashed and went down to way low prices and shortly after that Dominion Soudack ceased to exist. (Not sure if I caused that from my advance or not)!

Anybody remember when Dominion Soudack went under? Boco?

1978
In October 1978, Hudson’s Bay Company acquired the Dominion/Soudack Fur Auction Sales of Winnipeg and its subsidiary, Edmonton Fur Auction Sales. The company contributed Canada’s largest collection of wild fur to the Hudson’s Bay Company offerings.

Well i have large supply in the freezer so find me the best price!!

But they still kept doing business as D. S. didn't they? The castor boom was well after that date. Of that I am certain!

Might of died when hbc went belly up to become nafa

Yeah, that is the right time frame. When did that occur?

87 they sold off a lot of businesses and some more in 89 and 92 was when it became nafa

Yeah, that sounds about right.

Castor Prices Sucked At The Mannsville, N.Y. Fur Auction Yesterday.

Best Any Buyer Offered Was $43.00 A Pound And That Bid Was Rejected by The Trapper.

Other Castor Lots Only Made It Into the High 30's And ALL Were NO SALED !!

What's Currently Happening With Castor Prices Now In Other Northern States ?

w

I sent mine to Mr Don Wolf last week.

Ummm, yeah . It's not liable to change if we were donating the meat to starving families.